At least 40 people died and 30 others were injured when two passenger buses collided and burst into flames Saturday evening, June 28, in the Sabasaba area along the Moshi-Tanga Highway in Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region.
The fatal accident occurred when one of the bus’ tires punctured, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and collide head-on with an oncoming minibus. Both vehicles immediately caught fire following the impact, severely hampering rescue operations and making it difficult for emergency responders to retrieve bodies from the burning wreckage.
One of the vehicles involved was a Mitsubishi Rosa minibus transporting passengers to a wedding ceremony, while the other was a long-distance bus operated by Channel One company traveling from Moshi to Tanga. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a deafening noise as the two vehicles collided before being engulfed in flames from a fire explosion.
Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner Nurdin Babu visited the accident scene and injured victims in the hospital, describing the incident as an unprecedented tragedy in the region. He confirmed that 24 victims were receiving treatment at Same District Hospital, while several others were rushed to Mawenzi Regional Referral Hospital and KCMC for more specialized care.
The government has initiated DNA testing procedures to help identify the victims, as many bodies were severely burned beyond recognition. Regional authorities urged families to begin checking on the whereabouts of their loved ones as identification efforts continue.
Regional Police Commander Simon confirmed that the crash was caused by a tire burst on the Channel One company bus, which led to the loss of control and subsequent head-on collision. Kilimanjaro Regional Fire and Rescue Commander Jeremiah Mkomagi acknowledged that the intense fire significantly hindered rescue operations.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan expressed deep sorrow over the accident in a statement released Sunday. Hassan extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and regional officials, stating “May God grant peace to the souls of the departed and a quick recovery to the injured.”
The President also called for stricter adherence to road safety measures, emphasizing that road accidents continue to cause significant losses in Tanzania. She referenced her recent speech concluding the activities of the 12th Parliament on June 27, where she had addressed the ongoing problem of road fatalities in the country.
Hassan urged all drivers to continue observing road safety rules with greater care and called upon the police force to enforce traffic laws more effectively. She emphasized the need for improved road safety awareness given the frequency of deadly vehicle crashes on Tanzania’s roads.
Road accidents remain a persistent problem in Tanzania despite various government safety campaigns and repeated calls to reduce fatalities. Official government statistics indicate that more than 1,300 people lost their lives in road accidents in Tanzania in 2023.
However, international organizations suggest the actual death toll may be significantly higher. A 2018 World Health Organization report estimated that between 13,000 and 19,000 people in Tanzania were killed in traffic accidents in 2016, far exceeding the government’s official toll of 3,256 people for that year.
The discrepancy between official statistics and WHO estimates highlights potential underreporting of road accident fatalities in the country. This latest accident adds to the growing concern about road safety infrastructure and enforcement in Tanzania, particularly on major highways connecting different regions.
Authorities continue investigating the exact circumstances surrounding the collision while working to support the victims and their families. The nationalities of all victims were not immediately known, though most are believed to be Tanzanian citizens based on preliminary reports.
Emergency response teams cleared the wreckage from the highway, with both vehicles towed from the scene after the fire was extinguished.
The Moshi-Tanga Highway serves as a crucial transportation corridor in northern Tanzania, connecting major urban centers and facilitating both passenger and commercial traffic. This latest incident underscores ongoing challenges with road safety infrastructure and vehicle maintenance standards in the region.
